Ask Benitez your questions ...
CNN's Pedro Pinto will interview Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez on Thursday 4 November. Leave your questions for the Spanish manager at the bottom of the blog.
November could be a crucial month for Inter Milan and coach Rafa Benitez. By the end of it, the Nerazzurri will either have built the necessary momentum to have a successful season or see debilitating cracks appear that could lead to a premature ending of the Spaniard’s tenure in Italy. That's how finely balanced former Liverpool coaches popularity is right now.
This week Inter will play English side Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Hardly an intimidating venue for a club that has won three European Cups and has graced the greatest grounds on the continent in recent years, but the Champions League match against Spurs could nonetheless be a decisive one in Group A.
If they win, the defending champions will guarantee first place, therefore ensuring an easier draw for the first knock-out stage. However, a defeat could see them overtaken by Tottenham in the standings and facing the embarrassment of early elimination from the competition.
A fortnight ago, Inter were already warned of what their English rivals could do. Spurs, who were a man down and trailing by four goals at half time, stormed back after the break and nearly grabbed a point at the San Siro.
That valiant second-half display will give them belief that they can beat the European Champions at home. Faced with their biggest European game in several decades in London, the players, the fans and the manager will be ready throw everything including the kitchen sink at Benitez’s side.
The Spaniard, having managed in England for six seasons, won’t be rocked by the atmosphere, but it will still be a stern test of his team’s true colors. Furthermore, he has to play in London without star goalkeeper Julio Cesar and inspirational midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, both injured over the weekend.
If that game is challenging, then what can be said about the contest scheduled for 15 November? That is the date of the season’s first Milan derby with the Nerazzurri and Rossoneri locking horns at the San Siro. Without being dramatic, this is a must win game for Rafa. After Inter lost to Roma and failed to secure home wins over Juventus and Sampdoria, another unimpressive performance and result against another top Serie A rival will undoubtedly undermine his position as boss.
It may still be early in the season, but after the club enjoyed so much success with Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho, failure just won’t be tolerated by their fans and the media. It’s just that so far he hasn’t been able to win them over and as a matter of fact he has been criticized for a pragmatic approach, and for relying too much on the goals of Samuel Eto’o.
In other words, the pressure is on. Watch this space. November could be a month that makes or breaks Inter’s season.
Does he miss Liverpool FC?
Have you been fairly treated by the management of liverpool during the crisis period?
Hello Pedro,
I believe this is "monnaie courante" in football. When ever a new coach is hire, the players would not embrace him right away, there is always a time given for the coach to prove that he can do better and even if that goes against what he believe in. Now my question is the following: How does Rafa intend to keep Milan from falling, if I base my question on the job Mourinho did for the club?
Thank you
Mr. Benitez, I am not an Inter fan but I am curious to know what you think. Now that you have worked in Italy for a couple of months, how does the standard of Italian football compare to the EPL? What can be done to improve the football in Italy? Thanks, FORZA JUVE! =)
how you feel about coaching such a team which had a success manager who got everything with the team, do you think that you should do better than Mourinho, to be accepted by Inter Milan fans over the world, or maybe you can be loved by being smart with press and media (which Mourinho was totally good in it)?
How did you feel when the press proved that your "facts" from your now infamous rant were in fact lies?
Do you think players of inter are still eager to win the champions league even after winning it last year with a different manager.
You were accused by Liverpool`s former owners of buying bad players.Should we be worried that the same bad players ill come to Inter?
Do you actually think your beard looks good?
Rafa I really appreciate you playing them youths up. Which area in the team that needs improvement so far? If you were given a choice in January transfer for only one new player, which area would you be concentrating on? Will you be getting a new forward, mid or defender? Good luck Rafa. Forza INTER. FOR LIFE!
Dear Rafa, If you can in one word describe the following people and clubs:
1. Jose Mourinho
2. Sir Alex Ferguson
3. Arsene Wegner
4. Liverpool
5. Inter Milan
6. Real Madrid
7. Valencia
8. Yourself
why you change the liverpool for inter ?? just in brief pls
do you think you can win the serie A this season?
I will like to know why he choose Samuel Eto'o over Diego Milito considering the later's exploits last year. why does he need to buy more players in january. Inter is blessed with more world class players than any other team in Europe. Does he has the freedom Jose mourihno enjoyed at Inter. Is it Benitez or Morratti that selects players.
Thanks
Every coach has an inspiration. What's yours?
The question I want to ask Benitez is :
What's your opinion about today's Liverpool? And I think Liverpool's current position in Premier League has proved that you are the right one for Liverpool, not Hodgson. Do you think so?
I would like to know what will happen to David Suazo.
Do you think Inter needs to inject some young, fresh and possibly well-known blood to the squad given that Inter probably have the oldest squad in Italian Series A? What kind or type of player do you think that Inter need to reinforce in January 2010?
Rafa,you will always be in our hearts for what you did with LIverpool.i mean how can we forget Istanbul for that and many other things a big thank you.just wondering are you ever thinking of coming back to Anfield?IN RAFA WE TRUST!!!
Would Rafa Benitez ever consider coming back to Liverpool if the opportunity arose?
Do you think you wasted much money purchasing a number of players who hardly made any contribution to LFC? Do you know why you were provided with much money for transfers, but you did not succeed in buying talented and clever players, and potential and promising and auspicious young players like Mr. Feguson and Wenger have done very well?
which player do u admire most currently?
Gd Day Mr. Benitez,
I have been a lifelong Inter fan, almost since I first saw an Italian Serie A game on the local TV (that was when I was 11).
I am 23 years old now, and I have seen many coaches come through the Inter door, and many of whom have failed to win anything. Do you take the time to review these coaches' mistakes, and successes, and try to incorporate them into your coaching style? If so, can you give perhaps one example (i.e. Hector Cuper's focus on tough-tackling defenders etc.)
Also, after your departure from Liverpool, you have gotten a lot of negative attacks from your old club, including the new manager, Roy Hodgson. What do you want to say to Inter fans, who might hear too much of this, and have negative opinions of your style and tactics?
Why Diego Milto is not playing?
Hello Mr.Benetiz, having coached in debatably the best three leagues in the world, which would you say is the most competitive?
Thank You
Rafa in as much as you are a proven manager and i have the utmost regards for your achievements i must confess that some of your decisions baffled me, what on earth were you thinking trying to sell of Xavi Alonso to raise money for a player like Gareth Barry ? money or no money, when there where other players in team that could have been sacrificed instead.
Secondly, Crouch,Keane,Bellamy all played under your management at liverpool and went on thrive elsewhere instead of keeping the entire lot to support Torres,i know you would have done far better at liverpool if we had the right owners in place,all the same we miss you and hope you will come someday to deliver the championship to the KOP.We love you Rafa.YNWA.
If Jose Mourinho is the "Special One", then what would you like to be remembered or known as ?
i'm an inter fan. my concern is what's the team 's defects . if having match against inter, where other team should attact .
did u want to come back to Liverpool FC ?
I would like to wish him goodluck and that to be more successful period of his life on the top of the best team in the world .inter not get wrong when make him coach and I think all the Inter fans have to wait a little bit machine to go on right track.we see him very brave to put in the starting line young player like coutinho,biabiani that's the future of inter and all the fans support I hope that and
my question is
whether italian pasta help him to become better coach
Do you think you brought rotation policy to England?
In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between the English and Italian leagues? Is it the fans, media, facilities, players' attitude, etc.?
What are the important features which you are going to use at White Hart Lane? I mean are you going to give more emphasis on the attacking or defense? Are you also looking at the stadium, the pitches, the crowd and the atmosphere? Does some of your preparations during training are base on the Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur latest match?
Whether Does Gabrielle Orialli resignation have something to do with Rafa?
How does he instill winning mentality to the team, how does he keep the players concentration high during the whole 90 min. ( for example against spurs they let in 3 goals all out of sudden, this wouldnt happen under Mourinho as he kept the players concentration high)
What does he think about Cambiasso compared to Mascherano.
When you came to Liverpool you inherited an average squad. How did you manage to spend so much money and leave such a shambles.
Rafa, here is a simple question for you..
Please could you come home to Anfield?
We miss you very much.
Do you ever really regret getting into those embarrassing spats with Sir Alex Fergusson?
And how would you say the sale of Xavi Alonso hurt Liverpool?
Is there any excuse for Benitez if Inter does not win anything this year?
Do you think you left L'verpool when it needed you most ? or the players like Alonso, Arbeloa and Mascherano ? TaDaaa....
Have you ever considered to coach spanish national team?. Ever existed a chance?. What do you think about spanish style moving the ball over and over again with those skillfull players?. Would you like your team playing like that?.
would you consider to come back to England.
Do you regret touting Alonso around for funds to buy Barry? Do you still think that had he joined that season you would have gone on to claim the EPL title?
Dear Mr Benitez.
I am an Inter fan, better saying, an Internacional Porto Alegre fan. When the brazilian team Inter defeated Inter by 2×1 in United Arab Emirates Dubai Cup 2008, we decided here the Inter POA A and Inter milan B.Do you think that would be normal the A win B in FIFA Club World Cup 2010?
hi mr. Benitez, is sule muntari in your present and future plans? many thankx
What's your favorite alcoholic beverage? Like wine? Beer? Etc?
Hola Rafa, greetings from Madrid.
Do you think is possible nowdays to build a Europe Champions League team without a high budget? What would be the keys to build a Champion team?
Muchas gracias!!!
Rafa,Do you actually think bought mediocre players to liverpool and where you deliberately trying to bring the club to it's knees by selling some of our good players in liverpool like xavi alonso,robbie kean,sami hypia,peter crouch,arbeloa,john risse etc.
I would like to see more italians in the team, not many just a couple more maybe. Are you planning to move for italian players? For example, Cassano might be available and he's an inter fan!
Hi Rafael, what would you be if you weren't a coach?
Do uoy think Real Madrid is real contender for the European champoinship?
Do you expect to see in the future teams from UIS in direct competitions with europeans in regular champoinships?
Thanks,
Angel Perez
Puerto Rico
Mr. Benitez, first I want to thank you for you'r work at liverpool FC, Second I would like to ask if the the oppertunity would ever come along would you consider returning to manage LFC? if not, pleas explain.
YNWA
Hi Mr Benitez, how are you coping with the Italian media and the Nerrazuri fans.What do you think the Italian FA are failing to do in other to raise the standard of the Serie A the standard they set before is gradually diminishing.I want all the best for Serie A and hope they improve..Thank you Pedro for this chance
What would he recommend a player like David Suazo? He´s coming at the end of his contract with Inter sometime next year and has had minimal play time since Roberto Mancini left Inter.
Have you changed your attitude towards other managers and clubs since leaving the premier league? As you are probably one of the most disliked managers to ever have been in charge in England. I think I can safely say this for all supporters over here except for liverpool fans obviously.
Hey Rafa, I'm a liverpool fan. Why did you try and replace one of the best midfielders in the world Xabi Alonso with Gareth Barry? You had a team that finished 2nd.
how he rate from 1-10 massimo morrati?
Hello Rafa,
What is your comment about the current form of Liverpool and which player would you buy from liverpool if you get the opportunity.
How would you feel if you meet Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The honourable coachMr.Rafael Benitez i respect you very much.why u buy injury prone aquilani?good luck rafa.pls back to liverpool.
Have any teams you've been involved with "banked favors"? Here's what I mean: it's late in the season, you're 8-10 points clear atop the classifica, and you're playing another team in the relegation zone. They desperately need 3 points and you don't, so you... kinda... let 'em win. On the understanding that in some future season when you DO need 3 points (2 giornate to go and AS Roma breathing down your neck, say) they will return the favor and make their keeper lean on the posts so you can clinch the scudetto? Hmmm?
Mr. Rafael B. can you now looking at the way inter is finding it difficulty to win games and taking into consideration inter position in the league admit that Jose' M is better than you as a coach.
Do you really believe that Mouriho is really special?
Hey Rafa,
do you regret not buying Macherano this summer?
and more importantly did you regret selling Xabi Alonso as you did not find adequate replacement for him at Liverpool?
Mr .Benitez ,Do you think Inter with Benitez play more offensive style than Jose Mourinho`s Inter and just one last What do you preffer? One more Forward player – winter transfer window
or maybe some star player (etc.Kaka and Pastore) in the summer?
Thank you and FORZA INTER!!!!
why leave liverpool? if i am correct you once said u love the club or the statement was to please the club. The club you once love love is now in trouble. Can you help by telling we the fans the problem liverpool are having we now go on our kneels to win a game
Mr. Benitez ,
What are your thoughts on tough tackling in football today and how do you rate the tackling comparatively between England and Italy?
Do you think that Macherano jumped the ship like you did during the crisis at liverpool?
Is David Suazo going to have a chance of playing for Inter?
Please can you let us know why do you keep Muntari in the team when he misses so many balls during each game?
Also do you think you need to find a new winger instead of Chivu who is a constant liability for the team? Midfield is good, atack even better. Great playing with Cutinho and Biabiaby on the sides. Congrats for doing that, even if you have to put some one like Milito on the bench. Samuel Eto plays so much better near the goal, why do you put him on the sides sometimes?
NESTOR: from New York
You left liverpool after all the results of your work and the player's was no longer positive. Now, do you think that the players were not doing their best to achieve good results anymore? or what was the main reason why liverpool was not working fine on the field anymore?
Your first season, as a new manager managing Liverpool, the team was never in a desperate position as compared to this season with a new manager. Yet the current Liverpool manager didn't get as much flak as when you were Liverpool manager, even after winning trophies. Do you feel that the British media and British managers tend to rally together in contempt for you and foreign managers? If so, what o you think is their reason/s for doing so?
Are you expecting same landmark victory at White Hart Lane or you want to join some of us to agree that the victory was an attribute to the early red card miracle?
Do you think specialize in winning leagues or winning knock out stage matches ?
Do you feel proud that you make the career of Fernando Torres as a Better Professional Footballer before he joined from Atletico Madrid??
Greetings from Macedonia,
Which part of the team needs addition of new player(s) ?
A winger ? creative mid-filder ? striker ?
Can we expect new signings during the mid-season brake ?
Please beat the Rossoneri.
Forza Inter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi RAFA
First off all, thanks for all the memories you have given me by leading the great LFC over six years. I was in Istanbul and thats my all time favourite.
Would like to say that i am not one of those who wanted you to go, i belive you did a great job with LFC regarding the problems the club was in, but i have one question for you;
– when LFC needed players, and the fundings was short, why did you sometimes buy jost ordinary players? The likes of Nunez, Josemi, Kromkamp etc?
– And why didnt Babel get his chance on a regular basis like Ngog? If you had let Babel play 10-15 games in a row he would have been great for LFC.
COME BACK RAFA, IN RAFA WE TRUST !!
Hi Rafa
why do you constantly talk about Liverpool in your press conferences at Inter Milan?Do you ever see yourself returning to Liverpool?
Hi Rafa,
Just currious! Inter has a formidable team...Yes! But most, if not every coach has some indespensible players whom he think will serve as the main driving force to the teams goals. Whom is yours? With Diego M. back from injury, do you think he's going to take over the goal-scoring responsibility presently well executed by Samuel Eto'o?
Do you feel that your main target for inter Milan on your first day at San Siro is fading away at the moment? If you have those feelings how you are going to achieve those targets in the future?
I want to know if there's a MAJOR issue with LFC behind the tables.
I really can't understand why a big club like Liverpool can't have a successful spell (both and off the pitch) without a major issue erupting?
Mr Benitez,
What could you have done differently had you stayed at Liverpool?
Comment about Arsene Wenger's brand of football? Do you consider him as a winning coach?
Your thoughts about the future of football in Africa.
Hi
i want to know if you can make Inter Milan a better team than what your predecessor did? and if so how soon??
My dear Honorable Mr. Rafael Benitez i respect you very much.You are the best coach that i have ever seen ahead of mourinho ,sir alex.YOU have bought alonso,mascherano,Torres great players..You are too good for us.have a few Question.Why you buy injury prone aquilani for xabi alonso?can liverpool finish top four in epl?One day could you return to liverpool?What LFC needs to compete chelsea and utd.
Please come back Rafa.we lfc fans miss you.Thanks for the memories.
'IN RAFA WE TRUST'
Good luck Rafa. LONG LIVE RAFA LONG LIVE RAFA'S ARMY.
In a simple word, i wish you (Rafa) could express your feelings to the world how you feel ever since you left, how you miss liverpoolfc as a club you once regard as home, and to us (the fans) in a simple term. we'll never walk alone.
wish you luck.
Hello
now that Eto'o is on top form, where do you plan to play Milito when he returns from injury. How is Coutihno a better winger or play maker compared to Pandev?
Coach, I hope that in the winter window you will be able to convince the president to make a 2 crucial signings: 1) Attack 2) Mid field given that we do not have much world class options in these positions. Which players would you like to have on board in these positions?
good day Coach Rafa.. I'm sorry to see Inter was beat by Totenham last night.. dont give up coach Rafa..! i want to ask you for the January transfer window, will you buy new players? i hope you will.. i'm an inter big fan from 1997.. and i'm doing some search for some new players that you can buy like Barcelona striker that not often play in starting eleven: Bojan Krkic, Winger from Aston Villa that be can used to cover Dejan Stankovic and for the Future: Ashley Young, Portugal Midfield that can be used to cover Thiago Motta: Cardozo Tiago, and the last i hope you can play Diego Milito more often after his injured, he needs a big confidence from you coach Rafa to come back to his best form. I hope my message can be a good opinion for you Coach Rafa. God bless and G'dluck with Inter this season to win all the match after last night. Thx.
Rafa,wat were u thinking playing maicon again,the whole can see that he can not handle Bale,he almost made him the world footballer 2weeks ago.And you played him again? i know you were smart ,but with your maicon selection i now have my doubt.Rafa you lost the match not to a better side but to a non functioning Maicon.
The press has said far too much about your time at Liverpool (mostly bad). While fans opinions are divided. Personally I think you did an excellent job. How would you sum up your time at Liverpool and do you have any regrets.
Why is it; any thing you touch turns to dust? Liverpool is yet to recover from your horrible rain of terror, and now inter milan is going down.
From: THAMER TANOON
Dear Mr. Pedro Pinto, ive been watching you since i was a little kid, all respect to you Sir, this is the first time i have ever posted something in a programe and , i really really hope u get my questions and pass them on:)
Dear Rafa,
1-Is Intermilan starting to lose the image of the solid, dynamic, terrifying team and the great self-believe they had last season (which always gave them the edge mentaly against their opponents in italy and forced respect in Europe and helped them winning the historic treble)? Is this already lost or can the team still maintain those important aspects and recover after such a rattling from much smaller teams like Tottenham and defeats against weaker sides like Roma (defeats as such have been very unusual in the last 2 seasons)
2-Since u took charge of inter Eto'o is scoring many goals in all competitions...but the overall performance of the team has dropped....is it because his great contributions in midfield and in defensive tactics are lost? and milito's contribution in attack is also lost.....Did u make this change because Eto'o wants to play in his REAL position CF?
Thankyou very much, you are one of the biggest names in europe and we always enjoy your presence in the world of footbal:)
You won the champions league with Liverpool and almost won the premier League! You have done well,just concentrate on wining in Inter Mila and forget any side comment.
Do you think your team currently struggles with Milito and Maicon not being able to play at their best and Cesar not being able to play at all? Or you see it as a possibility for other players to play more time and possibly even make the starting line-up?
You had left Liverpool with an injured Torres, an unstable javier mascherano, no striking options and yet you boast about leaving anfield with a good squad. You had mentioned you had left Liverpool with 13 Internationals. Apart from mascherano and Torres, who are the world class players that you have left behind for Roy Hodgson. Considering Gerrard was not signed by you and Reina is a second keeper to Cassias.
Dear Coach Benitez, do you think the football games are becoming technical punches? Given the final results for Liverpool (who are also the responsibility of players and managers) and taken up now at Inter.
Who do you see as the top challengers for Serie A & Champions League title....???
Why is there so much resistance from FIFA ?
Rafa, would you ever consider returning to manage Liverpool?
Rafa is a big name in European and world football. We are sure to see the young man for long with famous teams and world class footballers. Best of luck to Senhor Benitez.